DEQ-CFW_00080313

NlichmdS,8cgmo,Secretary
N.C. Department o{Environmental Quality
NlanUK,Cohen, Secretary
N.C. Departnient wfHealth and Human 8crvccs
State releases first water quality data, updated health information for GenXinCape Fear River
Treated drinking water concentrations trending down; latest levels below updated health risk threshold
RALEIGH — State officials today released their first results of water quality samples and an updated
preliminary health assessment for concentrations of the unregulated compound GenX in finished, or
treated, drinking water.
The revised health goal for exposure to GenX in drinking water is 140 nanograms per liter (also referred
to as parts per trillion).
Samples were analyzed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Research Triangle Park and
at Test America, a lab in Colorado under contract to Chemours.
Data from samples collected June 29 and July 6 show that the most recent results of finished, or
treated, water in all but one facility were below the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
updated health goal of 140 parts per trillion. The data also reveal that concentrations ofGenX are
trending downward.
Although no information is available about recreational health risks, persons should refrain from
swimming inGenXoutfaUareas.
"Our goal, is to protect the safety and health of all North Carolinians said Mandy Cohen, M.D., Secretary
ofthe NI.Department ofHealth and Human Services. |ndoing so, w/eare working closely with our
partners at the Department of Environmental Quality to understand and communicate the potential
health risks inatimely manner, tohelp those impacted bythis GenX."
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan said:
"Safe drinking water is a top priority for this administration, and DEQ takes seriously its responsibility to
protect the health and welfare of the public. We will continue to investigate this issue and make new
information available to the public in a timely fashion."
The findings reflect water quality data from samples collected at 13 sites in the Fayetteville and
Wilmington areas between June 19 -JulyG. Results show higher concentrations near the point where
[hemoun/ Fayetteville manufacturing facility was discharging GenX into the [ape Fear River, and much
lower concentrations at the public water supply systems near the facility and 70 miles downstream in
the Wilmington area.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services released an initial preliminary health risk
assessment on June 8 for GenX in the Cape Fear River. Based on continuing analysis of health data and
OEQ-CFVV_00080313

consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the N.C. Department of Health and Human
Services today updated its initial preliminary health assessment for GenX, the unregulated chemical
compound recently identified inthe lower Cape Fear River.
This updated health goal of 140 parts per trillion is expected to be health protective for non -cancer
effects in bottle-fed infants, pregnant women, lactating women, children and adults. This health goal is
lower than the health goal in the initial preliminary health assessment. This change was based on factors
including the use of different set of animal studies as a starting point and accounting for the possibility
of other potential sources of exposure to GenX in the environment. Detailed information regarding the
initial and revised preliminary health assessments are posted online atw/wvv..\
Concentrations of GenX represented a significant decrease the farther away results were collected from
Chemours' facility. Lower second -week values reflect reduced exposure to GenX when, at the urging of
state, local officials and concerned citizens, Chemours on June 21 began diverting wastewater
containing the contaminant into storage tanks to be shipped out ofstate for incineration. DE{l
inspected the Chemours site again this week after the company indicated that data it had collected was
higher than what it would have expected to see after the June 21vvastexvater diversion had started.
DEQ inspectors confirmed this week that Chemours stopped the additional discharges of GenX into the
river and iscollecting them for removal and incineration.
The following data table reflects partial results ofconcentrations ofGenXafterdhew/aterhadbeen
treated by public water systems.
OEQ-CFVV_00080314

Results from all 12 test sites for the first two weeks of water sampling can be found on the N.C.
Department ofEnvironmental Quality's GenXvvebsite:
5790.
Additional water sample testing and analysis are underway with results to be shared once analysis is
The state's preliminary health goal was developed in consultation with EPA and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Ongoing discussions will apply guidance from leading federal researchers of
emerging contaminants to help state officials provide the public with the best information available on
potential health risks posed byGenX.
Some local utilities and governments also are conducting independent water sampling. Because the
protocols in place for these samplings and related analysis may not be consistent with the DEQ
practices, they are not being factored into the state's preliminary health risk assessment.
Officials have been collecting water samples at multiple locations in the Fayetteville and Wilmington
areas each week since June 19 and will continue sampling until at least late July. DEQ officials have
extended the state's sampling regimen from three -to -six weeks to provide a more comprehensive
understanding ofGenXconcentrations inthe lower Cape Fear River.
###
OEQ-CFVV_00080315